Darkane vocalist Andreas Sydow has decided to leave the band and issued his official statement on the Darkane website:

"The time has come, my friends for me to step down from my position as vocalist of the greatest band in the world!

I feel I've reached a stand still in the creative process with Darkane and together we came to the decision to let fresh blood into the band for the upcoming fifth album. Darkane is constantly evolving and I'm sure that this ignition will be great for the band.

We certainly part ways as very good friends and we're in fact still working together on finishing the long awaited DVD. Hopefully the Darkane "Layers of Live" DVD will be released this autumn and, in a way, sum up my 7 years with Darkane and be the perfect closure.

I feel very honoured and privileged to have been a part of such a great musicianship as Darkane and I have tons of great memories from all we've experienced together. I'm really gonna miss it!

I want to send out a great big thanks to all the people I've met and gotten to know over these 7 years! To all family and friends for supporting me and the band. To all the great bands we've met, played and toured with, especially to Devin Townsend (I wouldn't have made it through the U.S. without you!). To all the crew that has helped us out over the years. To Erin Lynch for believing in us and coping with all our bad habits, misshapes, accidents and illnesses (You sure are the Darkane tour mama!). To the Nuclear Blast crew, in Europe as well as in the USA (Thanks for helping me fulfil one of my biggest dreams, Gerardo! Keep working those vocals, Loana, and keep your enthusiasm flowing!). To all the fanzine's that spread the word about Metal all over the world. Your work is extremely important and appreciated! And finally a HUGE thanks to all the fans all over the world for coming to the shows and supporting Darkane! You are my, and Darkane's, true inspiration!"

Shit, this is like the fourth lineup change in bands playing at Scandinavian ProgPower. The drummers of Eldritch and Orphaned Land, the singer in Firewind and now Andreas. This is really sad, I hope they get a worthy substitute.

Shit, this is like the fourth lineup change in bands playing at Scandinavian ProgPower. The drummers of Eldritch and Orphaned Land, the singer in Firewind and now Andreas. This is really sad, I hope they get a worthy substitute.

Shit, this is like the fourth lineup change in bands playing at Scandinavian ProgPower. The drummers of Eldritch and Orphaned Land, the singer in Firewind and now Andreas. This is really sad, I hope they get a worthy substitute.

Shit, this is like the fourth lineup change in bands playing at Scandinavian ProgPower. The drummers of Eldritch and Orphaned Land, the singer in Firewind and now Andreas. This is really sad, I hope they get a worthy substitute.

Shit, this is like the fourth lineup change in bands playing at Scandinavian ProgPower. The drummers of Eldritch and Orphaned Land, the singer in Firewind and now Andreas. This is really sad, I hope they get a worthy substitute.